SWIMMING BATHS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5100, 14 March 1927, Page 2

SWIMMING BATHS.

DECISION TOi TAKE A POLL.

PRINCES STREET SITE SELECTED.

Tlie proposal to erect swimming baths at Paeroa was advanced a further stage at Thursday night’s meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council when the St. Paul’s parish vestry forwarded the following resolution, which had been passed by ite members : “That owing to .the close proximity of the swimming baths on the proposed site in Wood Street to the church property, this vestry regrets that it would be obliged te object to the closing o'f Wood Street for the purpose. Further, it is of opinion that a site in the dojnain, fronting Wood Street and adjoining t,he Defence Office, would offer equal facilities for the purpose without the disabilities <’f the present site.”

The members of the vestry were in full sympathy with the project and would help to ’forward the scheme on some cither site.

On the motion of Cr. J. W. Silcock it was resolved to advise the vestry that the council had decided to drop the Wood Street site, in deference to the vestry’s wishes, and that, the council record its appreciation tor the suggestion of another site.

Cr. J. Pinder said that he strongly objected to the attitude of the vestry in the matter. He was not “up against” the church in any way, but he had reason. to believe that certain members of the church were out to prejudice the objects of the council.

Cr. E. Edwards objected to the last speaker’s remarks, and outlined the attitude of the vestry, which, he contended, was not opnosed to the erection of baths, but to the Wood Street site only.

Cr.’ Pinder maintained that lie knew what he was talking about. Cr. F. E. Flatt smoothed matters by saying that the church was entitled to its objection, and had been quite frank about the matter. In any case the council had been able to decide on a more central and suitable site. A letter was then read from the Paeroa District High School Committee forwarding the following resolution : “That this committee heartily approves of the action of the Paeroa Borough Council in it.s endeavours to erect municipal swimming baths at Paeroa, and will do what it can support and assist in bringing the project to fruition.”

On the motion of the Mayor it was. decided to thank the committee for its offer of assistance, and to advise it o,f, the steps taken. A HANDSOME DONATION. Cr. E. Edwards wrote advising that he had received from liis brother, Mr Parry Edwards, a donation of £5O witn which he expressed the wish tihat the council would provide some extra facility to the proposed swimmingbaths. The money was to be held by the writer and handed to the council only in the event o'f the loan poll in connection with the baths being carried by the Mr Parry Edwards was a keen swimming supporter, and on returning to his hometown fr.om abroad was pleased to hear that the council was taking steps to provide baths for Paeroa.

The Mayeir moved that the council record its deep appreciation and thanks to Mr Edwards for his generous gift, which had been given spontaneously. It was, he said, a fine thing to have an old Paeroa boy come back to the town and make such an admirable and generous gift. In seconding the motion Cr. Flatt said that donations from the public were all too infrequent, and it was indeed a generous gift to receive from Mr P. Edwards, and the council was deeply appreciative of his action. The following resolutions were then moved by Cr. Silcock:—

“That, pursuant to section,9 of tjie Local Bodies Loans Act, 1913, steps be taken to, place before the ratepayers a proposal to borrow the sum of £2OOO for the swimming baths, the loan to be for a term of 36% years at a rate of interest not exceeding six per cent., with a sinking fund of approximately one per cent to provide a sufficient amount to redeem the debentures at maturity. Thatfthe proposed security for the repayment of such loan shall be an annually recurring special rate of %d in the £ <m the unimproved value cif all rateable property in the Borough of Paeroa. That the cost of raising the loan and the first, year’s interest and sinking' ■fund be. paid out of the loan.V Cr. Silcock also moved :—

“That the action of the Bath Committee in taking an option until April 28 next on a property belonging to the Cassrels’ Estate in Princes Street, for the purpose of erecting swimming baths be approved ; the purchase p** to be £200.” *‘ ce

The resolutions were Cr. Edwards and cart’ seconded by ,ied unanimously.